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Average

#6391 of 9,539 schools in CA

La Quinta Middle

Middle School · Desert Sands Unified

78-900 Avenue 50, La Quinta, CA 92253

Enrollment

688

Student-Teacher

22.9:1

Score

5.5

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#6,391 of 9,539

In La Quinta

#4 of 7

public schools

In district

#12 of 33

Desert Sands Unified

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La Quinta Middle

5.5/10

Middle School in La Quinta · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Harry S. Truman Elementary

4.0/10

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

La Quinta Christian Fellowship

Nearby

0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About La Quinta Middle

La Quinta Middle is a public middle school in La Quinta, CA, part of Desert Sands Unified. La Quinta Middle serves approximately 688 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 22.9:1 student-teacher ratio. La Quinta Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10 and ranks #6,391 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for La Quinta Middle show 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.3 pts above district
  • This school 5.5 · Average
  • District avg 4.2
  • CA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

La Quinta Middle runs 22.9:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

43% of students at La Quinta Middle were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.6Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.28 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.7Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency20.3% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency34.2% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-14.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-11.7 pts
Overall Proficiency27% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)27% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+0.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile40th
Resources & Environment3.6Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,070
Chronic Absenteeism43.2%

La Quinta Middle — Students at La Quinta Middle score 27% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

84.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 27.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
33.9% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 37.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
46.6% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 34 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
34%
ELA
47%
2010
Math
31%
ELA
50%
2011
Math
40%
ELA
57%
2012
Math
57%
ELA
55%
2014
Math
22%
ELA
26%
2015
Math
18%
ELA
37%
2016
Math
21%
ELA
34%
2017
Math
25%
ELA
33%
2018
Math
28%
ELA
40%
2019
Math
28%
ELA
40%
2020*
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2022
Math
23.7%
ELA
37%
2024
Math
20.5%
ELA
34.2%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.6/10.

How La Quinta Middle Compares

See how La Quinta Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.5/10
33th percentile in CA
Academic
5.7/10
Average
Growth
6.6/10
Average
Environment
3.6/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
84%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
43.2%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

78-900 Avenue 50, La Quinta, CA 92253

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering La Quinta Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. John Glenn Middle School of International Studies (rated 4.1/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Indio), a more accessible option. Another option is Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle (rated 3.0/10, 3.2 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Indio Middle (rated 3.0/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Indio), a more accessible option. For more schools in La Quinta, see our La Quinta schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Harry S. Truman Elementary La Quinta 0.1 mi 4.0
LA QUINTA CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP La Quinta 0.7 mi
La Quinta Christian Fellowship School La Quinta 0.8 mi
Benjamin Franklin Elementary La Quinta 1.3 mi 4.2
La Quinta High La Quinta 1.8 mi 6.0
Amelia Earhart Elementary School of International Studies Indio 2.3 mi 4.7
John Glenn Middle School of International Studies Indio 2.4 mi 4.1
Mountain Vista Elementary Indio 2.3 mi 5.3
James Madison Elementary Indio 2.6 mi 3.2
Gerald R. Ford Elementary Indian Wells 3.1 mi 5.1
Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle La Quinta 3.2 mi 3.0
Horizon La Quinta 3.2 mi 6.6
Summit High (Continuation) La Quinta 3.2 mi 5.7
Indio Middle Indio 3.2 mi 3.0
Brilliant Microschool Indio 3.4 mi
TOT STOP PRESCHOOL Palm Desert 3.6 mi
Palm Desert Learning Tree Center Palm Desert 3.7 mi
PALM DESERT LEARNING TREE CENTER Palm Desert 3.7 mi 5.4
Indio High Indio 3.3 mi 4.8
John F. Kennedy Elementary Indio 3.4 mi 3.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92253 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$97,397

Median Home Value

$612,800

Median Rent

$1,741/mo

Population

38,281

College Educated

38.9%

Homeownership

74.8%

Avg Commute

26.3 min

Poverty Rate

9.1%

Median Age

52.1

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Cabrillo Middle Ventura, CA 5.5
Cesar Chavez Junior High Ceres, CA 5.5
Del Vallejo Middle San Bernardino, CA 5.5
Dolores Huerta Middle Burbank, CA 5.5
George A. Buljan Middle Roseville, CA 5.5
John Muir Middle Los Angeles, CA 5.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about La Quinta Middle

What grades does La Quinta Middle serve?

La Quinta Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend La Quinta Middle?

La Quinta Middle has an enrollment of approximately 688 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at La Quinta Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at La Quinta Middle is 22.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does La Quinta Middle rank in CA?

La Quinta Middle ranks #6,391 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is La Quinta Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

La Quinta Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at La Quinta Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, La Quinta Middle has 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is La Quinta Middle a charter school?

No, La Quinta Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is La Quinta Middle a Title I school?

No, La Quinta Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for La Quinta Middle?

84.4% of students at La Quinta Middle qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
15 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
29 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
688
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
30
Free/Reduced Lunch
84.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Riverside County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
43.2%

District

Desert Sands Unified
District Enrollment
25,898
Schools in District
35
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,070
District Rank
#12 of 33

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